Even the world’s safest drivers can get into accidents. Because we have to share Atlanta’s highways with other drivers, there is always the risk of being involved in an accident and sustaining serious injuries or even being killed. In some cases, you may be properly compensated after your accident by the other driver’s insurance company. However, there are many irresponsible drivers on the roads that may be uninsured or under-insured.
Normally, when you have an injury caused by another person’s negligence, you are entitled to pursue a lawsuit for all of your damages, as set forth under law. However, if the person who caused the accident has few personal assets and inadequate insurance, not much can be done. It’s critical that you have uninsured motorist and under-insured motorist as part of your automobile insurance coverage.
Even if the individual who caused your injuries has insurance, it’s likely he or she is under-insured. Under Georgia law, the minimum amounts of liability required are bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per occurrence, and property damage liability of $25,000 per occurrence. Therefore, if a driver only had the minimum insurance required under law, and if that person seriously hurt someone, the injured person could only recover $25,000. Medical expenses alone are likely to be many times that amount.
If you are injured in an automobile accident, and the value of your injuries and other damages exceeds the other party’s insurance coverage limits, you may be able to pursue a claim against your insurance company, pursuant to the terms of your policy. It’s important that you speak with a personal injury attorney quickly after your accident.
It’s important for a Georgia accident victim to remember that from the moment he or she is involved in an accident, their best interests are the opposite of the best interests of their insurance carrier. Insurance companies exist to make money for stockholders. The more money they pay out to injured accident victims, the less profit they make.
In addition to attempting to pay less on insurance claims, insurance companies often use the terms of their policies to try to find a way to completely deny the claims. As one common example, many uninsured motorist policies require the accident victim to prove there was contact between the negligent vehicle and their vehicle. If there is not sufficient evidence of this, the insurance company may reject the claim.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident in the metro Atlanta area with an uninsured or under-insured driver, it’s critical that you call the Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Holston & Huntley. Call us before you speak to an insurance adjuster, who is not looking out for your best interest. Our firm can help. You may be entitled to damages for your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, and more. We serve Metro Atlanta Georgia as well as Birmingham Alabama including surrounding areas.
